The response of Hopea Odorata seedlings to canopy gaps in two contrasting forest sites in Peninsular Malaysia

Md Noor, Hashim and K., Baskaran and Ab Ghani, Ab Rasip and Wathern, Peter (2005) The response of Hopea Odorata seedlings to canopy gaps in two contrasting forest sites in Peninsular Malaysia. [Conference or Proceeding]

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Abstract

Six-month old seedlings of Hopea odorata (Merawan siput jantan) were transplanted in artificially created canopy gaps of five different sizes, ranging from 95 m2 to 1017 m2 in two contrasting forest sites in Peninsular Malaysia. Survival of seedlings at both study sites was not related to gap size and location within gap. However, survival was found slightly better at the gap edge than at the gap centre. Survival up to age nine months after planting was in the excess of 95%. Growth of seedlings in terms of height and basal diameter showed a positive response to gap size. Height growth increased with increase in gap size. Height in bigger gaps (660.5 m2 and 1017 m2) was outstandingly greater than that of small gaps (95, 254.5 and 415.5 m2). The same trend was observed for diameter growth. Similarly, seedlings grown at the centre of gap had greater height and diameter than those at the middle and the edge of gaps. There was also a significant interaction of gap size and location within gap, indicating that the growth of H. odorata seedlings in a gap depended on location within the gap. The behaviour of the Hopea seedlings in response to canopy opening and light availability indicated that this species is a light demander.

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